Ikari House

Christmas Island is known for the vast and seemingly limitless amount of wadeable flats. The primary fishing is wade fishing for Bonefish and Giant Trevally aka GT.
As with all bonefishing no matter the location, fish come on the flats to feed. The approach here is to cover as much water as needed to be into fish. The boat is used as transportation only for flats fishing.

Arrivals and Departures

There is one flight per week from Honolulu to Christmas Island via Fiji Air on Tuesday. The flight departs Honolulu at 12:00 noon and arrives in Christmas Island at 3:00 PM. The following Tuesday the flight departs Christmas Island at 7:30 AM and arrives in Honolulu at 10:30 AM. You will then need to go through customs, and check your bags and yourself into your connecting flight.

Accomodations

There are 8 bedrooms for 16 guests at Kari House, each with a private bath. They can accommodate an additional guest in 2 of the rooms if it is an intact group to make a total of 10 anglers. Each room has a/c on a thermostat. This helps reduce humidity an helps your gear and clothes dry out. The shower all have on demand hot water with variable temperature and flow control. In each room there is a fridge stocked with bottled water, beer and sodas. Rooms are cleaned daily. The lodge will do laundry each day as part of the package. It is good to leave a larger tip to reflect the amount of laundry done.

Non Anglers / Activities

Christmas Island is not recommended for non-anglers.

Airport / Logistics

Christmas Island is serviced by Fiji Air via Honolulu or Fiji. Anglers coming from the US overnight in Honolulu on Monday and then fly to Christmas Island on Tuesday at 12:00 noon. On the return the flight comes via Fiji and departs Christmas at 7:30 AM, arriving in Honolulu at 10:30 AM

Climate

Christmas Island is about 100 miles from the equator, so the weather is quite consistent as are the length of the days. It has less than 30 inches per year of rainfall per year, so it is on the dry side. When it does rain it can come down quite hard and cool things off. It is a good idea to take a raincoat with you everyday. The sun is quite intense so you need to be very deliberate in sun protection with clothing, sunscreen and wearing a buff.

Included

Seven nights double occupancy lodging, six days of guided fishing, all meals, bottled water while fishing.

The currency is Australian which varies in the exchange rate with the US dollar. They accept US dollars for extra guides, bar bills and gratuities. They do not take credit cards so bring plenty of cash. There is one ATM on the island.

Gratuities

Suggested gratuities for the guides are $40-60 per day, split between 2 anglers. Suggested boatman tip is $20-30 per day for the boat between 4 anglers. For senior guides the suggested gratuity is $100 per day. Suggested house gratuities are $100 - $150 for the week. This goes to the cook, cooks helper, grounds keeper, laundry, daily room cleaning and night watchman.

Medical Facilities

There is a hospital on the island. It is not even close to US standards. If you have a medical emergency you will need to go to Honolulu. It is strongly suggested that each angler have medevac insurance as the charter cost is over $25,000.

Documentation

Each person from the US needs a passport that i good for at least 6 months. A visa is not required. Other countries may vary.

Beverages

Bottled water is complimentary. There is a charge for beer and sodas. If you would like liquor, please pick it up at duty free on your way to the Island.

Laundry

Laundry service is complimentary. Payment should be reflected in your house gratuity.

Phone, Internet, Power

Phone: paid phone

Internet: paid internet

Power: 110 volts

Well known as the most consistent wade fishery on the planet, Christmas Island has been a must-fish destination for over 30 years.

Ikari House opened in 2008. It is located waterfront on the point in London where the lagoon meets the ocean.

They are big on hospitality and attention to detail.

Ikari House has a very experienced guide staff. Simon, the head guide, has been guiding for 30 years. Senior guides (and Zen Masters) Moana and Teanaki are also part of the staff. There are younger guides, who have a great eye for the fish.

Most of the fishing is accessed via boats in the lagoon. They have three 30’ center console with a 150 hp 4-stroke; the Wai Knot, a 25’ center console with a 115 hp 4-stoke; and two outriggers. Anglers can fish on the outside flats by the former Korean wreck, M Site and the back of the lagoon—all accessible by truck. Offshore fishing is also an option, with their 30’ boat being the best tool on the island for the job. All guides and boatman carry radios, which are on at all times. This is good for safety and efficiency on the water.

The chef is Tess, whose cooking is known to anglers who may have stayed at other lodges in the past. The dinners are something to look forward to, offering two entrées each evening. They feature local fish and lobster, along with chicken, pork and beef. The quality and the quantity are beyond expectations. For breakfast and lunches there are multiple choices.

The lodge is constructed of concrete block, similar to the other lodges on the island. Each room has a/c with a thermostat. The showers have on demand hot water. Those anglers who have been to Christmas before know that this is a luxury.